Interventional procedure overview of electrically stimulated intravesical therapy for interstitial cystitis or overactive bladder in adults

What the procedure involves

Electrically stimulated intravesical therapy, also known as electromotive drug administration (EMDA), involves using a device to create an electrical field across the bladder tissue. It has 2 mechanisms: transporting ionised molecules through the tissues to apply an electric current to the solution that contains ions (iontophoresis) and transporting non-ionised molecules with the solvent flow (electro-osmosis). This process increases the amount of medicine absorbed compared with only passive diffusion. This procedure is contraindicated for people with a urinary tract infection.

This procedure is done with the person lying in a supine position. It is done using a topical local anaesthetic. An electrode catheter is inserted into the person's bladder through the urethra. The bladder is flushed and drained. A medicine solution is then instilled into the bladder. Electrode pads are placed on the person's skin. The cutaneous and intravesical electrodes are then connected to a generator, which releases electrical current, transmitted to the intravesical electrode. After the procedure, the bladder is drained, and the catheter is removed.